Calgary youth does adult-sized fundraiser for less fortunate families

While many eight-year-olds in Calgary may spend the holiday season dreaming of what might be left for them under the Christmas tree — Dexter Ronak had a different idea.  

He's more concerned with making sure there will be gifts waiting for those who are less fortunate.

Spending several months collecting bottles — also encouraging his friends and family to do the same — the eight-year-old raised roughly $700, which he donated Saturday at the annual open house and donor drive for Inn From the Cold, which provides shelter, food and support to homeless families in Calgary.

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"I just felt sad when I saw homeless people," he said.

"It's not fair for them to not have food and be living in their car and not have enough money to provide their family with some food. And with this, it helps them so they can have food and have a healthy, growing life."

Inn From The Cold Director Abe Brown was moved by the gesture.

"What a profound story, right? To introduce the idea of giving back at such an early age, and so he's actually sponsoring meals for vulnerable Calgarians," he said.

"And, of course, children just like himself, so that's just so profound."

Brown said donations like Ronak's come at a critical time for the family emergency shelter, which has been over capacity for most of this year, and has seen a 30 per cent drop in donations compared to this time last year.